Chapter 58: The Consequences of the Curse

Because Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan was taken to the hospital, the negotiations came to an end before they had truly even begun.

After we gathered once again in the situation room, we began discussing the accident that had befallen him.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong of the National Police Agency gave Chairman Park Yeongil and hotel CEO Jeong Donggi a detailed account of what had happened in the restroom.

Naturally, whenever there were details missing from his explanation, Superintendent Hwang Dongsok and I filled in the gaps.

"As a precaution, we had him evacuated to the police hospital."

"His life isn't in danger, is it?"

"According to the doctor who examined him, he merely lost consciousness for a short time."

"Well, considering what happened, that's already fortunate."

At that moment, as if driven by curiosity, CEO Jeong Donggi turned to Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

"Commissioner, Deputy Secretary Zhang isn't going to file a claim against our hotel, is he?"

"According to the results of our investigation, there were no obstacles in the restroom, let alone any thresholds. Moreover, the witness statements are so unequivocal that he won't be able to find fault with anything even if he wants to."

"That's a relief. Still... how did he manage to fall flat on his face like that?"

"There are research findings showing that a person can fall if both their front and back legs give way simultaneously."

At that moment, Chairman Park Yeongil noticed that Cha Jiham was lost in deep thought.

Unable to ignore it, he spoke up.

"Manager Cha, what are you thinking about?"

The reason I had become so absorbed in thought was because I was trying to figure out how the curse had been cast upon its target.

If I told the truth, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong would immediately want to dissect my head.

Deciding to put the matter aside for now, I answered Chairman Park Yeongil's question.

"Deputy Secretary Zhang merely fell forward, yet his entire face ended up covered in blood. That strikes me as rather strange."

"When someone's luck is truly terrible, they can break their nose even by falling onto their back."

"Well... when you put it that way, you're right."

Bzzz.

At that moment, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong's phone vibrated on the table.

After glancing at the screen, he informed ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) Chairman Park Yeongil that it was Superintendent Hong Ingi calling and answered the call.

"Has Deputy Secretary Zhang regained consciousness?"

"[He came to in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.]"

"Were you able to ask him what caused him to fall?"

"[He claims that when he opened the door and stepped into the restroom, he suddenly felt a blow to the back of his head, as though someone had struck him with tremendous force.]"

At that instant, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong felt that the situation was taking a turn for the worse.

If Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan's claim turned out to be true, the hotel could suffer enormous losses.

Interrupting the conversation with Superintendent Hong Ingi, he turned to CEO Jeong Donggi.

"Mr. Jeong, is there a surveillance camera at the restroom entrance?"

"Not directly at the entrance, but there is one mounted on the ceiling in the hallway."

"Excellent. Retrieve the recording as quickly as possible."

"Is there a particular reason?"

"I'll explain later."

"Understood."

CEO Jeong Donggi abruptly jumped to his feet and rushed out of the room.

Watching him leave, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong resumed his conversation with Superintendent Hong Ingi.

"Superintendent Hong, you heard my conversation with the hotel representative, didn't you?"

"[Yes, Commissioner.]"

"If Deputy Secretary Zhang starts making a scene, tell him we'll provide him with the surveillance footage."

"[I will. But what if the footage actually captured the perpetrator?]"

"We'll deal with that problem if it arises."

"[Understood.]"

"By the way, how is his condition?"

"[He has a fracture in his frontal bone, a broken nasal septum, and eight broken front teeth.]"

"He simply fell to the floor, yet suffered injuries that severe?"

"[Yes. The doctor who examined him said he'd never seen such extensive injuries from an ordinary fall.]"

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong exchanged a few more words with Superintendent Hong Ingi before ending the call.

Afterward, Chairman Park Yeongil asked curiously,

"How badly was Deputy Secretary Zhang injured?"

"He has a fracture in his forehead..."

I had merely wished that Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan, who never stopped hurling insults, would have his filthy mouth smashed to pieces.

Yet the consequences had turned out to be far more devastating than the curse I had mentally cast.

Suddenly, a short story titled "The Monkey's Paw" came to mind.

An artifact that grants its owner's wishes—but does so in the most horrific and twisted manner imaginable.

If my ability worked the same way, then the next time I wanted to curse someone, the entire building they happened to be in might collapse just to fulfill my wish.

"Yeah... I can't go around throwing curses at people."

Until I understood exactly how the curse worked or what conditions governed it, it could lead to a disaster far beyond anything I had originally intended.

Resolving to first uncover its true mechanism and only resort to this power in the direst circumstances, I returned my attention to Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

"...They're planning to conduct a thorough examination to rule out any brain damage."

"I hope everything turns out all right."

Just then, breathing heavily, CEO Jeong Donggi returned to the situation room and handed Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong a flash drive.

After thanking him, the Commissioner continued,

"Deputy Secretary Zhang testified that someone struck him on the back of the head as he entered the restroom."

"...What?!"

"Let's find out right now who committed the attack."

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong inserted the flash drive into the television's USB port and pressed the play button on the remote.

The screen showed Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan walking briskly toward the restroom.

However, there was no one near the entrance.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong let out a sigh of relief and stopped the recording.

"It appears Deputy Secretary Zhang was struck on the back of the head by an invisible man."

"Hahaha!"

Everyone present burst into loud laughter at the Commissioner's witty remark.

Once the laughter subsided, he turned to CEO Jeong Donggi.

"Well then, shall we head to the hospital and clear your hotel's name?"

***

Police Hospital Lobby.

As soon as the group led by Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong entered the building, they were greeted by Superintendent Hong Ingi, who had been waiting for them.

"Welcome, Commissioner."

"You've worked hard. Have the results of Deputy Secretary Zhang's brain examination come back?"

"They've confirmed that no abnormalities were found."

"That's truly wonderful news. Where is he now?"

"He's undergoing emergency surgery to set his broken nose and fit temporary dental prosthetics."

"And where is Vice Chairman Chen?"

"He's waiting in the family lounge just outside the operating suite."

"Let's go meet him."

When the group entered the lounge, Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui greeted them with a face worn down by exhaustion.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong expressed his sympathies before explaining the purpose of their visit.

"We reviewed the surveillance footage showing Deputy Secretary Zhang entering the restroom. There was no one near him."

"Are you suggesting that Deputy Secretary Zhang is lying?"

Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui's voice carried a sharp, piercing edge.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong paid no attention to the tone and instead turned to CEO Jeong Donggi.

"Would you like to personally clear your hotel's name?"

"Yes, I would."

With that, CEO Jeong Donggi opened the laptop he was carrying, started the video, and turned the screen toward Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui.

After watching it carefully, Chen looked at Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong in confusion.

"I trust neither the hotel nor the police fabricated this recording?"

"How could we possibly do such a thing? If the Chinese government wishes, we're prepared to provide the original recording at any time."

"Hmm... So it's genuine."

"That's correct. Incidentally, no signs of any blow were found on the back of Deputy Secretary Zhang's head."

"Then why is Deputy Secretary Zhang so convinced someone struck him?"

"According to the hospital staff, a severe concussion can produce memory distortion."

"Ah... that does happen."

"Now that it's been confirmed the hotel bears no responsibility, I hope you won't continue searching for grounds to accuse them."

"Do I really have any other choice?"

Ignoring Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui's answer, Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong turned to CEO Jeong Donggi.

"Mr. Jeong, you may return to the hotel."

CEO Jeong Donggi gave the Commissioner a grateful bow before leaving the waiting room.

Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong resumed speaking with Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui.

"I spoke with the doctors. Deputy Secretary Zhang will need to remain hospitalized for at least two or three days. How should we proceed regarding the negotiations over the repatriation of the Triad members?"

"I'll consult Deputy Secretary Zhang and give you an answer."

"I'll await your call. Please convey my wishes for his speedy recovery."

"I certainly will. Until next time."

***

"Ugh..."

Having finally emerged from the effects of anesthesia, Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan slowly opened his eyes.

Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui, who had been anxiously watching over him, asked carefully,

"Brother, how are you feeling?"

"...The anesthesia hasn't completely worn off yet, so it's hard to say. Help me sit up."

Apparently the surgery had gone well, because despite his swollen face, his speech was relatively clear.

Rustle.

Leaning back against the hospital bed, Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan touched the bandages wrapped around his head.

"Why is my head wrapped in bandages?"

"They say you suffered a fracture in your frontal bone, so they applied a compression bandage to stabilize it."

"What?! I injured my head too?"

"Yes. It seems it'll take some time for you to recover completely."

"This isn't good..."

"While you were in surgery, Commissioner Choi and the hotel representative came by."

Vice Chairman Chen Zhihui concealed nothing as he recounted the entire conversation with Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong.

"...They believe it was a case of memory distortion."

"So according to them, I simply fell on my own?"

"The surveillance footage completely matches the witness statements."

"That can't be..."

"The evidence is too conclusive for us to dispute."

"Whew... We'll deal with that later. What about the negotiations?"

"Commissioner Choi proposed suspending them while you're hospitalized."

"I can stay here for two or three days at most. No longer."

His answer clearly showed that Deputy Secretary Zhang Jinan intended to continue the negotiations no matter what.

"I'll relay your decision to Commissioner Choi."

***

"Commissioner Choi, what did Vice Chairman Chen say?"

The moment Commissioner General Choi Dongyeong hung up, Chairman Park Yeongil immediately asked.

"He proposes resuming the second day of negotiations tomorrow at ten in the morning."

"I thought you said Deputy Secretary Zhang had to remain in the hospital for two or three days."

"He insists he must return to China no later than the morning after tomorrow."

Chairman Park Yeongil turned to me.

"Manager Cha, why do you think Deputy Secretary Zhang refuses to delegate his authority during the negotiations?"

"At this point, he's far more interested in personal gain than in the negotiations themselves."

"Personal gain? What do you mean?"

"He's trying to obtain compensation for the Triad members who were eliminated by the police."

"What a shameless scoundrel!"

Chairman Park Yeongil let out an indignant sigh, astonished by such audacity.

"I believe it's actually far more advantageous for us if he's the one leading these negotiations."

"Explain why."

"Most people lose the ability to think rationally when they're under extreme time pressure."

"Exactly! That's absolutely right!"

Chairman Park Yeongil agreed enthusiastically.

"It seems even heaven is on our side."

"What makes you say that?"

"Because Deputy Secretary Zhang missed the entire first day of negotiations after being struck by an invisible man's phantom blow to the back of the head. Now all the time he has left is tomorrow."

The reason I deliberately kept bringing up the invisible man was simply to leave myself a safeguard for the future.

Naturally, no one—including Chairman Park Yeongil—had the slightest idea what my true intentions were.

"Haha. I see what you mean."

"Chairman, I have an urgent favor to ask."

"Of me? Go on."

"From Monday through Thursday, I'm required to be at my workplace at Hangang Group. However, because of the current circumstances, I physically can't be there today or tomorrow. Would you mind explaining the situation to Chairman Yoon on my behalf?"

"Can't Manager Cha simply tell him himself?"

"Within Hangang Group, I'm nothing more than an ordinary employee."

"Hmm... I understand. Leave it to me. I'll take care of it."

"Thank you very much."

"Don't mention it. It's nothing. Commissioner Choi, shall we go have dinner?"

***

That same night.

Lying in bed, I carefully reflected on my ability to cast curses.

"It seems that in order to activate the curse, I need to make eye contact with the target. But... did that guy on the electric scooter or those robbers ever actually meet my gaze?"

There was clearly some inconsistency there.

After taking the herbal tranquilizer, I had made eye contact with countless people.

Yet absolutely nothing had happened to any of them.

"So there must be some other prerequisite for casting the curse. But what could it be?"

I never got the chance to pursue the thought.

Thinking I was already fast asleep, Saho jumped onto the bed and flopped down with his belly spread squarely across my chest.

"If you don't get off before I count to five..."

While I was bickering with Saho, sleep quietly overtook me, and I drifted into the world of dreams.